Autumn. Wind blowing, leaves crackling, pumpkins glowing, the season showing- us its colours. Almost a poem, there. What can I say? Fall brings out a change in the air. So, naturally, it’s time for a fall-inspired project.

Somehow, I never seem to have any lack of projects to do- they just seem to find me. Take for instance, this particular project. I think you can guess how it goes. Birthday party. Need to personalize it- add the ‘surely simple’ touch (haha). What’s on my mind? Autumn. And also, watercolour. Because I’m in love with watercolour. So- the result is this watercolour floral cake topper!

Let’s take a closer look.

And let’s take a moment to admire this cake:

A friend got the cake- and when I saw it, it totally reminded me of fall. It doesn’t hurt that it’s butterscotch and chocolate with white frosting- yummm. The butterscotch adds that rustic element to the cake- and you know, I seriously have been thinking to plan DIYs and projects- but somehow, it never happens exactly the way I plan it. And when I just go with the flow, I find ideas in occasions and daily life. There’s a lesson here, somewhere. (Just wing it, and you’ll be fine?)

Okay, on with the how-to, now:

First, I lightly sketched some floral shapes on watercolour paper (150 gsm). Painted them quickly and kinda messily (it doesn’t matter if you don’t stay within the lines because you’re going to cut out the shapes). I added some details with a gold gel pen.

I also made some leaf confetti! Basically, I just cut out small leaves, but folding coloured paper into quarters (and half again) and drawing a leaf and cutting it out to get similar sized leaves. I got out my bamboo skewers and some thread and washi tape in nice warm, fall colours.

I cut out the floral shapes- this step easily takes the longest time. I recommend cutting them out precisely, because the effect is much better than leaving white space. Try not to snip off any little leafy details though!

Arrange your florals into a little bunch (or two, like I did). Cut out two little paper rectangles (or squares) for gluing on your flower bunch.

Be sure to stick the ‘behind’ elements first! Like the leaves go behind the flower, so I stuck them on the paper first, flower over them.

Tape the floral bunches on a skewer each, and decorate the skewers with tape if you feel like it.

We’re not quite done yet. Draw a banner (diagonally across an A4 sheet works). I did mine in a hurry, because I was in a hurry ( I wanted the cake cutting to be done fast, so I could eat the cake) but if you like perfect lines and all – use a ruler. If you’re a free bird, feel free to freehand it. As you can see, my banner came out looking okay!

Write a message on the banner before taping it onto the skewers. Initially I was going to write ‘happy birthday’ then I thought I’d write a fall themed message. I came up with this because autumn really is like the beginning. Seasons change, our thoughts change. We evaluate ourselves. And what’s better than a birthday to start afresh?

I also made this leaf garland and thought I’d put it on the topper.

Then I rethought it, because the leaves were just too big. I should have made a smaller set of leaves for a mini garland. Aghh. I’m not perfect, and I don’t like hiding ‘fails’ either on the blog. So after I decided it was a no-no, I removed it- and it looks simple again.

And there you have it! A floral watercolour cake topper- fall inspired! With a dash of leafy confetti- in shades of yellow, red and orange! Merry Autumn! (is there a saying like that?) – xo, Aaria